South Africa vs Zambia Preview: Line-ups, Predictions & Where to Watch

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South Africa vs Zambia Preview: Line-ups, Predictions & Where to Watch
Bafana Bafana players celebrating a goal

South Africa and Zambia are among the teams that have qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

This will be a game that both set of technical teams will be using to try some players before deciding their final squad for the biennial competition.

Recent Form and Head-to-Head Record

Bafana Bafana are fresh from qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States. Their last two games were 0-0 and 3-0 results against Zimbabwe and Rwanda respectively.

Chipolopolo had a poor outing in the qualifiers, finishing fourth in Group E with just nine points. They won 1-0 against Tanzania before losing by the same margin against Niger.

While South Africa have been with coach Hugo Broos for almost five years now, Zambia have interim tactician Moses Sichone at the helm.

Interestingly, Zambia have beaten South Africa three times across all competitions, losing once and drawing once as well.

What They Said

We are preparing for the friendly game against Zambia on Saturday. But for me, friendly games, do not exist. Every game we have to be focused and concentrate fully, and we have to try and win that game. It will not be any different for this game. I want to win on Saturday.

Hugo Broos Bafana Bafana

So it wouldn’t be a good thing if we lost the game on Saturday. I will ask every player to focus and concentrate the same way they do during the qualifiers. Even if it’s not a qualifier, I will not accept players taking this game as a little holiday. I want to win on Saturday. On the other side, it’s also the last opportunity to call some players I want to see a little bit more closer – Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana coach.

Of course, we are expecting a tough game against South Africa, and we're not just going there to go and play. We are taking it so seriously because we want to win the game. Because South Africa qualified for the World Cup, it's a good test for us. I am treating it like a cup final.

Moses Sichone e1762455831829

People are looking for results, but one thing we shouldn't be forgetting is we've been having upside down situations. Of course, we will try our level best to make sure we play as well as we can – Moses Sichone

Team News

Both set of coaches have called players who have a chance of making the AFCON squad. It explains why squads might be tinkered with as players are tried by their coaches.

Bafana Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine

Defenders: Khulumani Ndamane, Thabo Moloisane, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Samukelo Kabini, Thabang Matuludi

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Masindi Nemtajela, Bathusi Aubaas, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole

Forwards: Evidence Makgopa, Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Lyle Foster, Mohau Nkota, Sipho Mbule, Keletso Makgalwa.

Chipolopolo squad

Goalkeepers: Mangani Banda (Kabwe Warriors), Francis Mwansa (Zanaco), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows), Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos).

Defenders: Owen Mwamba (Mufulira Wanderers), Stoppilla Sunzu (Yatai FC-China), Yoram Chanda, Killian Kanguluma (both Kabwe Warriors), Aaron Musonda (Mutondo Stars), Kabaso Chongo, Gift Mphande (both Zesco United), Benson Sakala (Bohemians 1905-Czech Republic), Mathews Banda (Nkana), Obinno Chisala (El Merreikh-Sudan), Lubambo Musonda (Magdeburg-Germany), David Hamansenya (Leganes-Spain).

Midfielders: Owen Tembo, Frederick Mulambia (Power Dynamos), Given Kalusa, Solomon Mpasela, Kelvin Mwanza (all FC Muza), Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian-Scotland), Humphrey Bweembya (Kabwe Warriors), Kings Kangwa (Hapoel Be’er Sheva-Israel), Gift Siame (Leganes-Spain), Wilson Chisala (Zanaco FC), Kelvin Kampamba, David Simukonda (both Zesco), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari-Italy).

Forwards: Lameck Banda (Lecce-Italy), Joseph Sabobo Banda (Hapoel Be’er Sheva-Israel), Rickson Ng’ambi (Muza FC), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha-Saudi Arabia), Pascal Phiri (Zesco United), Albert Kangwanda (Red Arrows), Patson Daka (Leicester-England), Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat-Israel), Kingston Mutandwa (SV Reid-Austria), Elia Mandanji (Zanaco), Andrew Phiri (Singinda Black Stars-Tanzania).

Where to watch

The game will be live on SABC Sport and SuperSport from 15h00 on Saturday.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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